Licensed customs agents in Nigeria have appealed to the Federal Government to address critical issues affecting the maritime sector, emphasizing the urgency of tackling exchange rates, taxation, and broader economic challenges.
Mr. Lucky Amiwero, the founder of the National Council of the Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents, highlighted the profound impact of economic woes on the sector, leading to a substantial decline in importation. He urged the government to prioritize economic concerns over political considerations, recognizing the widespread consequences on the populace.
“The government should look into the economic issues; it is not a political thing. It has affected almost every person in the country apart from the few elites who are benefiting from it,” expressed Amiwero. He further lamented the adverse effects on education, citing the difficulty many face in sending their children to school, and noted the reduced importation activities by importers.
Amiwero specifically pointed to the issues of floating exchange rates and fuel subsidy as key factors affecting the maritime sector, refuting claims of increased taxation by the government.
Echoing these concerns, Nnadi Ugochukwu, the Vice President of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders, urged the government to address excessive taxation within the sector. He criticized the taxation system, citing instances where the same rate is applied to vehicles of varying ages and levies imposed on items beyond luxury goods.
Ugochukwu also called for a reevaluation of Nigeria’s approach to rice production, suggesting the lifting of the ban on rice importation due to widespread hunger in the country. According to him, the 21-year experiment with local rice production has not yielded the desired results.
In addition, Olusegun Musa, a former Chairman of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders, Murtala Muhammed Airport Chapter, urged the government to review its policies on export, import, and other fiscal matters. Stakeholders in the industry seek a consistent policy framework to provide direction for import and export activities.
Musa called for meaningful engagement between the Comptroller General of Customs and stakeholders, emphasizing the importance of addressing concerns and collaboratively working towards improving the system. The maritime sector, essential to the country’s economic landscape, awaits government intervention to navigate through the existing challenges.
